Loving the Candidate (Capitol Affairs #2) (12 page)

“Fuck me hard. Pound me, Alex.” I cried out as I looked into his eyes. He began to slam into me. I grabbed on to his ass, pushing him inside as far as he could go. He placed his forehead against mine as he pumped into me. Both of us were covered in sweat.

“Come inside me, Alex. Come now,” I ordered. He came, moaning my name. His eyes opened, and I watched it travel through him, his mouth quivering, and his chest heaving. He collapsed on top of me.

“What a date,” he laughed.

“I told you I was a sure thing. Thank you.”

He kissed my neck and started to get up. “For what? I know it’s amazing, but you don’t have to thank me.”

“Not that. For understanding and letting me be the person I need to be.” He smiled at me and stood up. His cock was still half hard, and I couldn’t stop looking at it. It was mine.

“I want you to be happy. I want you to wake up every day and know I want what you want. You are my life, and as long as I can hear your voice every day, it’ll be fine. You don’t need to thank me. You just need to be my wife, my love, and my best friend for life.”

I smiled and jumped into his arms.

“One more round, Senator. I’m suddenly turned on again.”

Chapter 14

To officially start his campaign, Alex made an announcement. He had been planning to go with a prerecorded video, and then changed his mind at the last minute. He wanted to announce it at home in his office with Beckett lying beside his desk. The camera crew took over our home with lights and sound wires. A makeup person was called in, and Alex made it clear he only wanted minimal amounts. It was fast and professional. He looked amazing telling America he was going to run as the Democratic nominee in the next election.

We kicked off the campaign with a fundraiser in D.C. We invited powerful executives who Alex had helped while in the Senate, and politicians we knew would back him. It was a huge turnout, and he received so much backing, we knew this was what he should do. He had his first interview as a possible presidential candidate with CNN. His campaign team polled, and 43% of America didn’t know who he was at the time. After the interview, he was extremely popular and everyone wanted to know who that good-looking, young senator was. Once again, our age difference was brought into question in the interview. It seemed this was brought up on every newscast and every interview. Alex laid it all out for them and didn’t flinch. The world was getting to know the real Alex Conrad, who was more comfortable in front of a camera than he was at home.

He also was on the road all the time. It was a busy time, and one where he was gone quite a bit. I tried to go with him as much as possible and still do my work as a lawyer. Even though he campaigned for president, he still had his duties to fill as a senator. He was in Iowa more than any place. I had flown there five times in the past six months because of the Iowa Caucus. I had never known so much about that state as I did now.

His first debate was against four other men fighting to gain the nomination of the Democratic Party. Alex was the youngest of the five and the one everyone was most interested in. Though he would not admit it, he was nervous, and I had gone with him two days before, so he could prepare.

The hallway leading to the auditorium went on forever. Alex was sweating, and I could tell by his eyes he was a little overwhelmed. All I could do was kiss him, promise he was going to be perfect, and wait for him. Senator Esposito, who himself had run eight years ago, had flown out to help. Alex couldn’t let his inexperience hurt him. He highlighted his National Security experience and his willingness to fight for women’s rights. I was so proud as he blew the other four out of the water.

He was headed for the Presidency faster than we’d imagined.

Working the headquarters solo became my second job while Alex flew off to this state for some event or that city for some speech. Now that we were getting more into the campaign, he was flying alone more and more. I did have a big case I was working on that could prove my value as a prosecuting attorney. I needed to do a good job. I needed to prove I could handle whatever I was given. I worked as a lawyer during the day and a campaign manager at night. Every waking moment, a hired team of security and assistants surrounded me, in and out of our home.

Mark began to focus on speech writing, and Alex hired Ashe Burton as his assistant. He seemed like an all-around good guy, and we both trusted him with our lives. In addition to his impressive background: Yale graduate, all-star lacrosse player, successful career, he also happened to be a tall, dark, blue-eyed stunner with an appealing New England accent. I considered setting him up with Veena. However, that was before arrogance began to take over his once charming personality. Turning women’s heads was easy for him, since he looked like a walking advertisement for Ralph Lauren. Unlike Alex, who was embarrassed by the women who threw themselves at him, Ashe used his position to his advantage to bed any and all women. He had no standards, no particular type. His preference was a breathing female, no exceptions. When he and Alex were on the road, his hotel room was a revolving door of random women in and out most every night. His womanizing was an instant turn-off

He spent many nights on the couch in Alex’s office. At first, I thought that would put a damper on our crazy sex life. That didn’t seem to be an issue anymore, because Alex was so into the campaign, he couldn’t have cared less. When Alex was home and he had the energy, we had to be careful not to be so loud. I couldn’t run around in my white T-shirts like Alex preferred, anymore. There were too many people in and out of the house at all hours of the day and night for me to walk around in a see-through T-shirt and heels. I missed the sex we used to have two and three times a day on the weekends. It wasn’t important to Alex anymore, and it became a problem in our marriage. Of course, I thought he’d found another woman. I talked to Veena about it. She hung out at my place quite a bit, which I loved, because I could spend time with Prudy.

“Prude, come on, the man lives and breathes for you. You two are in a slump. He has a lot on his mind right now,” Veena said over coffee one night.

“You should see how these women throw themselves at him, and not just fat old housewives, either. He has real beauties after him, and they do it right in front of me,” I said while I made dinner for anyone who was in the house. Alex had gotten new posters made, and they were being delivered. I sensed that evening would be crazy.

“I know it’s not that. You’re being weird. Hey, is Mark here tonight?” Veena asked, trying to sound casual and not like she was desperate to see him. Those two were getting close, but I didn’t think anything of it. Baby Prudence colored on the table in front of the fire. She looked more like Veena every time I saw her.

“I think so. Why?” I smiled.

“I have a book he wanted to read, and I thought if he was here tonight, I could give it to him,” she said.

“Veena, come on. I know when you’re lying to me.” I laughed.

“What?” she said, while trying not to smile.

“You have a crush on him, don’t you? It’s okay. He’s a great guy. I thought he might be good for you,”

“Stop it. We’re friends. He’s smart, and I like discussing things with him. What a difference from the morons I used to hook up with,” she said. Veena helped me cook dinner for the masses about to congregate in my house. She was doing great. She’d cleaned up her act after baby Prudence was born. She took a job in a law office as a secretary, enrolled in fashion school, and was considering starting a line of baby clothes called Prudy. I was so proud of her and so glad she’d come to see me and move in with me.

“You know what you need? A baby. It’s what you and Alex need to get you out of this slump you think you’re in,” said Veena, stirring the sauce on the stove.

“We haven’t even talked about a baby. I don’t know if I’m ready yet, Veena. I still have this fear of how I was raised, and I don’t want any of those genes to carry over when I have children,” I said, sitting down for a minute and letting Veena take over the kitchen.

“You should talk to him about it, Prude. Think how beautiful the kid would be. It might be good for the election,” she said.

I didn’t answer her. I thought about it as I sipped my coffee. Alex would be all for it and had mentioned he wanted a big family. I wasn’t ready for that responsibility yet.

The troops came into the kitchen, yelling and snapping me out of my thoughts. Alex smiled and kissed me on the lips. I missed those lips so much, and when he did kiss me, I was taken back. I reached up and caressed his seemingly ageless face. What I wanted was to take him upstairs and fuck his brains out. What I wanted was to strip him naked and put his cock in my mouth. I didn’t think we’d ever had such a dry period.

“How was your day, baby? I smell food. You have hungry guys here.” He smiled as he kissed me. I missed his body and his touch and the way he used to adore me every day. I missed having the house to ourselves and how he would come home and undress me in the kitchen. Now he was so busy, being with me was the last thing on his mind.

“Good. I booked the Blue Basil for your election party. It wasn’t cheap, to say the least, and I went to see Thomas and Bruce for a while,” I said, trying to steal a few minutes alone with him. I wanted all those people to leave me alone with my husband. His scent made me want him so bad, I thought about kicking everyone out.

“How’s Thomas?” he asked, taking a few minutes while everyone talked and laughed around us and searched for food.

“He’s good. He wants to help with the campaign, and he and Bruce are getting married next month so we have to make an appearance,” I said. Alex wasn’t listening to me. He was preoccupied by whatever Mark had just handed him.

“When did this happen?” he asked Mark.

“Hi, Prude. Hey, Veena,” he said in a rush before he turned back to Alex. “Just now. It came over the Internet. I have instant access to news announcements. What do you want me to do?”

“What is it?” I asked.

No one answered me.

“Alex, is something wrong?” I asked again, getting pissed. He continued to read whatever was on Mark’s phone. In the back of my mind, I was afraid it had to do with the secret he’d told me. Was it coming out?

He looked at me as if he didn’t know if he should tell me or not. Me, of all people.

“It looks like one of my opponents is bringing up the age difference between you and me. He must be getting desperate since I’m beating him in the polls. He says he has something big to announce,” he said and looked at Mark.

“What do you mean something big? What could he have that we haven’t already told?” I asked.

“Nothing, baby. Don’t worry about it. I’ll handle it.” He kissed me and looked at Mark. I wasn’t so sure he could handle it.

“Let’s go to my office and get this handled,” Alex said. He and Mark grabbed food and headed down the hallway. The rest of the guys helped themselves to the contents of our refrigerator as if they were paying rent.

Once again, I was alone and neglected, yet I knew there was a reason for it.

I went to bed alone again and read a book while Alex and his team worked into the wee hours of the morning. I didn’t like it one bit. Never had Alex put me off or not wanted to come to bed with me. It was like he was re-living his bachelor days with these guys, and I wasn’t part of it. I was a burden to him, with this news coming out about our ages. I had told him it would be a big deal, and he didn’t want to believe it.

The next morning he soundly slept next to me, and I wanted him. I wanted him bad, and I was determined to have my way with him. I wasn’t going to take no for an answer. I decided to give his cock some much-needed attention. As I was slipping my hand into his sleeping pants, he groaned and flipped over, turning away from me. Alex never avoided my touch, not ever.

Anger grabbed me.

“Alex.” I shook him “Wake up. What’s going on?” I asked.

“What’re you talking about?” He stayed on his side, his eyes closed. He was even in sweats and a T-shirt, and he had always come to bed with me naked.

“You don’t want me anymore. What’s going on with you?” I asked.

“You’re being ridiculous. I have a lot on my mind, and sex is not at the top of my list. I’m not in the mood.”

“What’re you talking about? This is me. We’re always on each other. You’ve never said no to me before. I don’t understand.”

He sat up, sleepy and angry. “You’re being selfish. I’m allowed to say no once in a while. Life is not about sex and living in la-la land. I’m trying to do my work as a senator and run for president. I’m exhausted beyond belief.”

“I’m sorry, Alex. I’m exhausted too. I have my day job as a lawyer; I’m also running your campaign at night. You’re not the only tired ass around here. I won’t ask anymore. If you want me, you know where I will be. I’m going to the guest room, so keep your buddies out of there,” I yelled back. I was in no mood to be ignored.

“Prudence, come back here,” he yelled, as I stomped off down the hallway into one of the spare rooms. I slammed the door and locked it. I could be a bitch, and I was being one in a big way.

I expected him to come after me, to beg me to come back, but he didn’t. Maybe he was worried about what our age difference would do to his popularity. Maybe he wanted to get rid of me because too much could come out. Maybe there was someone else. Sleep overtook me.

Chapter 15

The sun blazed through the window and roused me. He hadn’t come after me. I decided to get up and go see if he was still asleep. It was obvious we needed to talk. Our bed was empty and unmade. I put on my robe and slippers and trudged down to the kitchen.

“Good morning, Prudence.” I heard a voice from the corner of the kitchen. Not recognizing it, I jumped. Ashe usually let himself in like Mark did, but I never knew when one of them was in the house. He leaned against the counter holding a cup of coffee, and wearing a suit that fit him as if he’d been born in it.